Chapter 3The Kiss of Life

I closed my eyes, grabbed Chase's arm, and yanked. Surprisingly, he stumbled toward me easily.

He even bent down slightly, cooperating.

He looked surprised but smirked. "What game are you playin—"

I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down.

His lips were warm and soft. Completely unlike his personality.

My eyes were open. I saw Chase's sharp, arrogant eyes widen in genuine confusion.

A strange feeling rose in my chest.

—I wanted to break his perfect mask.

—I wanted to see what was underneath.

Chase didn't push me away.

Probably because he was in shock.

Confidence is conserved; he lost his, so I gained it.

I sucked on his lip, just to be mean.

He froze completely.

The hospital door opened. I shoved him away, pretending nothing happened.

Facing the doctor's stare, Chase touched his ear, which was burning red, and left in shame.

That night, amidst our usual chat history of insults, Chase sent a single, genuine question mark.

I didn't reply.

The next day, I ambushed him at his office. Kiss, run.

Day three, he caught me. "Are you sick?"

I said, "This is the last time. You think you're tasty?"

Day four, he grabbed my jaw, veins popping.

"Chloe, if I believe you again, I'm a dog."

Day five, he texted me the address of his business trip.

I chased him around for two months.

Two months was enough to convince Chase I was mentally unstable.

And enough for him to accept the daily kiss tax.

Not just me—Chase's kissing technique improved drastically.

I was alive, but living requires thinking about the future.

Lying on the sofa, I groaned to the System:

[We hate each other, and I'm assaulting him daily. When does this end?]

The System sounded tired: [You call that assault... whatever, let me check...]

Silence for three seconds. Then a screeching alarm.

[Host, we're screwed! This level of intimacy isn't enough anymore!]

[What???]

[You need to sleep with him now!]

I jumped off the couch. [Just kill me!]

The System, being an AI with no physical body to harm, stayed calm.

[Host, listen. Sleeping renews life faster and lasts longer. Basically, do it ten times, and you're cured. No more contact needed.]

I paused.

So, if we sleep together, I can live freely?

I tested the waters: [...By sleep, do you mean PG-13 or...]

System: [This isn't kindergarten.]

Oh.

I asked with a sliver of hope: [Can I have some time to mentally prepare?]

System: [Day after tomorrow, latest.]

Okay. Fine.

Damn you, System.